Serving ZIP 48239 & 48240
Hot Water Problems? Water Heater Repair in Redford, MI
A cold shower, lukewarm water, a leak under the tank or a heater that pops and rumbles all have a cause we can find. We repair gas and electric water heaters across Redford Charter Township, and we tell you the price before we start.
Water Heater Repair for Redford Homes
Your water heater works every day without much thought, until the morning the shower runs cold. Most of the time the problem is one part, like a pilot that will not stay lit, a burned-out element or a leaking valve, and the heater can be repaired instead of replaced.
We repair water heaters for homes and businesses across Redford Charter Township. We find out what failed, explain your options in plain words and give you the price before any work starts. If the heater is near the end of its life, we will tell you that too, so you do not pay for a repair that will not last. As a Redford-based plumbing company, we are close by when the hot water quits.
Call for Water Heater Repair
Price firstYou approve the cost before we start
Water Heater Problems and What Usually Causes Them
Find the problem that sounds like yours. These are the causes we check first.
No Hot Water at All
Every tap runs cold. The heater is not heating the water at all.
Likely causes
- Pilot light out or burner not lighting
- Worn thermocouple or flame sensor
- Tripped breaker or burned-out heating element
Hot Water Runs Out Too Fast
The shower starts hot but turns cold after a few minutes.
Likely causes
- Sediment filling the bottom of the tank
- A broken dip tube mixing cold water in
- One failed element on an electric heater
Water Is Only Lukewarm
The water gets warm but never really hot, no matter how long it runs.
Likely causes
- Thermostat set too low or not working
- Weak burner flame on a gas heater
- A heating element starting to fail
Popping or Rumbling Noises
The tank pops, knocks or rumbles while it heats.
Likely causes
- Hard water scale and sediment on the tank floor
- Water trapped under the sediment boiling
- A tank that has not been flushed in years
Rusty or Smelly Hot Water
Hot water comes out brown, or smells like rotten eggs.
Likely causes
- A worn-out anode rod
- Rust starting inside the tank
- Bacteria reacting with the anode in the tank
Water Around the Tank
A puddle, a drip or a damp floor under the water heater.
Likely causes
- Leaking relief valve or drain valve
- Loose fittings on the water lines
- A cracked tank that can no longer hold water
Gas Water Heaters
Most problems on a gas heater start with the parts that light and control the flame.
- Pilot light that will not stay lit
- Thermocouple or flame sensor
- Gas control valve
- Burner and venting problems
Electric Water Heaters
Electric heaters use two heating elements, each with its own thermostat.
- Burned-out upper or lower element
- Thermostat that stopped working
- Reset button that keeps tripping
- Wiring and breaker problems
Water Heater Repairs We Handle
Most water heater calls in Redford come down to one of these parts. We test the heater to find the one that failed, replace only what needs replacing and check that everything works before we leave.
Pilot and thermocouple
We clean or replace the parts that keep a gas pilot lit and the burner running.
Gas control valve
A faulty valve can stop the burner from lighting or keep the water from getting hot.
Heating elements
We test both elements on an electric heater and replace the one that has burned out.
Thermostats
A bad thermostat leaves the water too cool, or lets it get hotter than it should.
Relief (T&P) valve
This safety valve has to open under pressure. We replace it when it leaks or sticks.
Drain valve and fittings
Drips from the valve at the bottom or the pipe connections on top are usually a simple fix.
Anode rod
A new anode rod slows rust inside the tank and often clears up smelly hot water.
Sediment flush
Flushing the tank clears the buildup behind popping noises and hot water that runs out fast.
Is Your Water Heater Leaking?
Not every leak means a new water heater. Where the water is coming from tells us a lot.
Often repairable
Water from the relief valve, the drain valve near the bottom, or the pipe fittings on top. These parts can usually be replaced.
Usually needs replacing
Water seeping from the tank itself or from under the tank. A tank that is rusted through cannot be patched safely.
What to do right now
- 1Turn off the power at the breaker for an electric heater, or turn the gas valve to off on a gas heater.
- 2Close the cold water valve on the pipe going into the top of the heater.
- 3Move boxes and anything valuable away from the water.
- 4Call us so we can find the leak and stop it.
How We Diagnose and Repair Your Water Heater
You call
Tell us what the hot water is doing and what kind of heater you have.
We check it
We look at the heater, the gas or power supply and the water lines.
Price first
We explain what failed and the cost. You approve before work starts.
We repair
We replace the failed part or fix the leak.
We test
We run the heater and check the hot water and the safety parts.
Clean up
We clean the work area and tell you how to care for the heater.
What Affects the Cost of Water Heater Repair
We do not guess at a price over the phone. Once we see the heater, we tell you the cost, and nothing starts until you approve it. These are the things that change the price.
- Whether the heater runs on gas or electric
- Which part has failed and what it costs
- How easy the heater is to reach
- The age and condition of the heater
- Whether the tank needs a flush as part of the repair
Repair or Replace Your Water Heater?
Many tank water heaters last somewhere around 8 to 12 years, depending on water quality and care. Age alone does not decide it, but it matters.
Repair usually makes sense
- The tank itself is not leaking
- One part has failed, like a valve or element
- The heater is fairly young and in good shape
Replacement usually makes sense
- Water is leaking from the tank body
- Rust inside the tank or rusty hot water
- The heater is old and keeps needing repairs
Simple Care That Helps a Water Heater Last
A little attention once a year keeps most water heaters running longer and heating better.
Flush the tank
Draining some water from the tank once a year clears out sediment.
Test the relief valve
Lift the lever on the relief valve once a year to make sure it opens and closes.
Check the anode rod
Having the anode rod checked every few years helps protect the tank from rust.
Keep it around 120°F
This temperature is hot enough for most homes and lowers the risk of burns.
Give it room
Keep boxes, paint and cleaning supplies away from the heater, especially a gas one.
Why Redford Homeowners Call Us When the Hot Water Quits
We find the failed part
We test the heater before we replace anything.
Honest repair advice
If a repair will not last, we tell you.
Price approved first
You hear the cost before any work starts.
Hot water checked
We test the water and the relief valve before we leave.
Water heater trouble? See what Redford customers say
Read Our Google Reviews (opens in a new tab)Water Heater Repair Across Redford Township
We repair water heaters in every part of Redford Charter Township, ZIP codes 48239 and 48240, on both sides of I-96. When the hot water quits, you want a plumber who is close, and we are based right here on Norborne.
From homes near Telegraph Road to streets off Beech Daly and up toward Eight Mile, we can get to you. Not sure if your home is inside the township? Call and ask.
Neighborhoods we serve
- Western View
- Grand Dale
- Chesterfield
- Western Heights
- Brady Block
- Seminole Woods
- Rogers Park
- Telegraph-Hazelton
- Jefferson
- Downtown Redford
Water Heater Repair FAQs
Answers to the water heater questions we hear most from homeowners in the 48239 and 48240 ZIP codes.
Why is my water heater not making hot water?
On a gas heater, the most common causes are a pilot light that has gone out, a worn thermocouple or a faulty gas control valve. On an electric heater, it is usually a tripped breaker, a burned-out heating element or a bad thermostat. We test the heater to find which one it is before replacing anything.
Why does my pilot light keep going out?
A pilot that lights and then goes out is often caused by a worn thermocouple or flame sensor, a dirty pilot tube or a draft near the heater. Sometimes the gas control valve is the problem. Relighting it over and over will not fix the cause, so it is worth having it checked.
Why does my water heater make popping noises?
Popping and rumbling usually means sediment has built up on the bottom of the tank. Water trapped under that layer boils and pops as the burner or element heats it. Flushing the tank often helps, and leaving it can shorten the life of the heater.
Why does my hot water smell like rotten eggs?
That smell usually comes from bacteria in the tank reacting with the anode rod. It is common in heaters that sit unused or have a worn anode. Flushing the tank and replacing the anode rod usually takes care of it.
Is it worth repairing an older water heater?
It depends on the age and condition of the heater and what has failed. Replacing one valve or element on a heater in good shape is often worth it. If the tank is leaking, rusting or the heater keeps needing repairs, replacing it usually costs less over time. We will tell you honestly which makes more sense.
What should I do if I smell gas near my water heater?
Leave the house right away and do not switch lights or appliances on or off. From outside, call your gas company or 911. Once the gas company says it is safe, call us to check the water heater.
Do you repair water heaters for businesses in Redford?
Yes. We repair water heaters for homes and businesses in Redford Charter Township, in the 48239 and 48240 ZIP codes.